Harness and trace coupling



(No Model.)

G. W, HUNTER. HARNESS AND TRACE COUPLING. No. 252,108. Patented Jan. 10,1882.

. UNITED STATES Ill PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. HUNTER, OF MEROED, CALIFORNIA.

HARNESS AND TRACE COUPLING.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,108, dated January 10, 1882.

Q Application filed September 6, 1881. (No model.)

Toall whom it may concern Be it known thatI, GEORGE W. HUNTER, of Mercer], county of Merced, State of California,

have invented an Improved Harness and Trace, Coupling; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

'My invention relates to certain improvements in devices for readily connecting parts of harness together or for attaching the same to vehicles; and itconsists in the employment of a peculiar link attached to the strap or trace and having a cylindrical bolt with a flattened head. This bolt is fitted toenterahole formed in the head of a shank or pin which is driven or screwed into or otherwise secured to the single tree, pole, neck yoke, &c., and one side is slotted, so that the side bar of thelink may pass through as the holtisinserted. Thelink is then turned around until the side bar is at the opposite side from the slot, and is thus locked in place. The hole in the fixed head is made eccentric with its periphery, so that when the link has been turned around it will bind and prevent noise or rattling.

Referring to the accolnpanying-drawingsfor a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the link secured to the end of the tug or trace. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the eyebolt to'which the trace is secured. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same; and Fig. 4 is a plan view, partially in section,.showing the tug or trace-link secured within the eyebolt, which is secured to the end of a single-tree.

A is the link, consisting of two sides and a cross-bar at one end, to which the tug or other strap is secured in any ordinary manner.

The opposite end of the link has a round bolt, a, of larger diameter than the sidebars, and it is provided with a flattened flange, b, which rests upon the top of the head through which the bolt passes. The head 0 is formed at the end ofa shank, D, which may be screwed or lriven into or otherwise secured to theisingle tree, pole, or neck-yoke E, to which the trace or strap is to be connected. It has a hole, F, made through it at one side of the center, and a slot, G, is cut through the narrow side, so that when the bolt 0, is introduced into the hole F the lower side bar of its link will pass down through the slot until it is below the head 0. The bolt can then be turned around so that the lower side bar is out of line with the slot, and the boltis locked in place. The lower side bar of the link Ais'beveled on its lower edge, as shown at i, so as to easily enter the slot G, and the edges of this slot are also rounded or beveled, so as to prevent catching. The flange b rests upon the top of the head 0 and extends out far enough to prevent any ingress of dirt from above. The hole F being made eccentric with the head, when the link is turned around to lock the bolt after it has been inserted into the head it binds firmly, so as to prevent looseness or rattling. Thewhole forms ancat and convenient means for connecting pole-straps, traces, and other-parts of harness.

By my peculiar construction of the link A, with the short bolt to and the triangular connecting portion 0, it will be seen that the part where the strap is secured may be made of a length to receive any width of strap without increasing the length of the bolt a, which remains of a convenient length, and the link is much strengthened by the part 0. The shank D isalso enlarged, so as to be strong enough for the work to be done.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, i

The link A, with its bolt a, havingthe head I), as shown, in combination with head 0, provided with the shank D, said head having the hole F, made eccentric to its circumference, and the slot G, so'that the bolt may be introduced and tightened by turning within the hole,substantially as and for the purpose herein de-' scribed. r

In witness whereof I'have hereunto set my hand.

GEO. W. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

CHAS. F. CASTOR, J. 0. BLACKBURN. 

